Inside the Fall '09 District Sample Sale

We never thought we'd see this day, but the Smashing Pumpkins are back and at the 9:30 Club (815 V St. N.W.). Tickets are sold out on the venue's website, but if you're enterprising, we wish you all the best. 7 p.m. doors.

TUESDAY, OCT. 18

The West End Cinema host a night of Reel Affirmations, the LGBT film festival, with women-themed film shorts ("Oh Yes, It's Ladies' Night") and men's shorts ("Let's Hear It for the Boys"). The shorts range from joke telling to relationship woes to a musical number. $12.

If you and your girls just want to have fun, try Cyndi Lauper at the 9:30 Club (815 V St. N.W.). Back on tour and better than ever, she'll perform with Dr. John on their "From Memphis to Mardi Gras" tour. 7 p.m. doors; $45.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19

Howard University's Homecoming Fashion Show fills Cramton Auditorium (2400 6th St. N.W.) with the hottest new looks -- we'd expect nothing less from a school with students ranked second best-dressed in the nation. 7 p.m. show is $46.50; 10:30 p.m. show sold out.

Most situations are better Minus the Bear. This Seattle-based band is on tour with their new album "OMNI," a sensual yet stomping addition to their four previous studio albums. Catch them at the 9:30 Club (815 V St. N.W.). 7 p.m. doors; $25.

A special pre-theater menu and ticket package is available through Jaleo Crystal City (2250A Crystal Drive, Arlington) and a nonspeaking production of "Othello" at Synetic Theater (1800 S. Bell St., Arlington). The themed menu includes garbanzos con espicanas for Othello's Moorish background, and the featured seasonal cocktail, Green with Envy, is made with gin, apple cider and Granny Smith apples. Available through Nov. 6. See ; $65 for theater ticket and dinner; not including tax and tip. Reservations required.

In 2008, Marcero Lucero, an immigrant from Ecuador, was murdered in Patchogue, N.Y. His death was the result of anti-immigrant sentiments and highlighted violence in the community. "Light in the Darkness," a film that chronicles the aftermath of Lucero's murder, screens at American University's Katzen Arts Center (Abramson Family Recital Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.) as part of the Not in Our Town series, which sheds light on problems in communities and how they're dealth with. 5:30 p.m.; free.

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

Pink Rocks the Runway comes to the atrium of the International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.) -- not P!nk, as in the musician with an exclamation point instead of an "i", (thank goodness), but pink as in breast cancer awareness. The night will feature a runway show with Christian Siriano's line and a host of other events. 6 p.m.; tickets start at $75.

The four best ingredients to nurse a breakup are chocolate, cupcakes, wine and revenge. Go get the first three at D.C. Wine Week's Chocolate, Cupcakes and Wine event at Co Co Sala (929 F St. N.W.). 6-7 p.m.; $35.

Vampires are so middle school. You know all the cool grownups have moved on to zombies. Go indulge your fear of the undead masses at a midnight showing of "Zombie" at E Street Cinema (555 11th St. N.W.). This digitally remastered unofficial sequel to "Dawn of the Dead" is sure to scare you and whichever poor soul agreed to go with you. Midnight; $11.